Database Info

get the real nexus launcher(launcher2.apk) working on DamageControl v1; JIT works!

EDIT: it seems as if a lot of people are having problems with this. about half the people get it working, and half don't. i recommend that you test out Launcher2 first before setting it as your home launcher. I'll try and see what's going on and why it doesn't work right. for now, though, pushing the libs is confirmed to make lwps like the nexusmod on helix.
EASIER WAY: USE RECOVERY TO FLASH THE SIGNED ZIP ATTACHED ON BOTTOM.
okay, so konikub posted the market app that gets the nexus launcher working on our ROMs, but it seemed a bit slow and the app drawer wasn't very intuitive for me, as i had to press the back key and everything for it to work. so, i found out a way to get the REAL nexus one Launcher2.apk to work on DamageControl v1, but i haven't test on fresh 2.0b2 or anything else.
the main two files that are needed to get the launcher2.apk to work seem to be libRS.so and librs_jni.so
since i used waffle 2.1 as my first ROM and the nexus launcher worked, albeit unstable at times, i looked there first. when compared with DamageControl, the necessary libs are missing.
so, the libs that i'm posting are taken straight from bikcmp's Waffle 2.1 ROM.
it's a pretty simple procedure, since you're just placing the libs in the right folder
step 1: extract the libRS.so and librs_jni.so to a folder where you know the location
step 2: push the files to /system/lib
Code:
adb remount
adb push <location of libRS.so> /system/lib
adb push <location of librs_jni.so> /system/lib
adb reboot
step 3: install launcher2.apk
Code:
adb remount
adb push <location of Launcher2.apk> /system/app
adb reboot
and then it works!
so far, it's been stable for me after a few reboots, and i don't get any force closes like i did when i used it on bikcmp's waffle ROM.
any problems, just pm me or post a reply.
if things don't work on the first try, like your bootscreen just keeps on going and going, just reboot your phone. after i set it to my default homescreen and rebooted, my bootscreen kept going on and on and on, even though the lockscreen and whatever else was definitely loaded. i'm not using the htc lockscreen, so i knew where the unlock button was, and when i touched there, it vibrated. i could 'unlock' the phone but it stayed at the bootscreen.
so when in doubt, just reboot
see below for all three files. i put it all into one zip for convenience.
enjoy!
EDIT: oh, and live wallpapers DO work. i've tested some from the market, but it seems as if (AGAIN) it's the nexusmod one that doesn't play nice and freezes your phone but i do recommend the Substrate (search Substrate in market) lwp, they're pretty fancy and they look nice too! performance isn't too bad either
Konikub requested a flashable zip for this. it's in post #5, but for those who are too lazy to scroll down, i'll post it here too
naturally, its named launcher2-signed.zip
UPDATE: i just tested this, but JIT works if you use this launcher! just follow these instructions: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=637419
when i first installed it, though, my bootscreen just stayed and kept going for a good ten minutes. for some reason, the lockscreen still 'worked', as in you could unlock the phone underneath but it'd still display the boot animation. i just pressed the SEND+END+MENU button combo to reboot the phone, and it worked! if you get a few FCs at first, just make sure you press the 'Force Close' option. if you reboot again, it should work.
there's always the possibility that it'll screw up your phone(not a brick, i mean like it wont boot, etc.), and if it does, just go to recovery and follow the instructions to restore dalvik w/o JIT (in the link).

justinisyoung said:
okay, so konikub posted the market app that gets the nexus launcher working on our ROMs, but it seemed a bit slow and the app drawer wasn't very intuitive for me, as i had to press the back key and everything for it to work. so, i found out a way to get the REAL nexus one Launcher2.apk to work on DamageControl v1, but i haven't test on fresh 2.0b2 or anything else.
the main two files that are needed to get the launcher2.apk to work seem to be libRS.so and librs_jni.so
since i used waffle 2.1 as my first ROM and the nexus launcher worked, albeit unstable at times, i looked there first. when compared with DamageControl, the necessary libs are missing.
so, the libs that i'm posting are taken straight from bikcmp's Waffle 2.1 ROM.
it's a pretty simple procedure, since you're just placing the libs in the right folder
step 1: extract the libRS.so and librs_jni.so to a folder where you know the location
step 2: push the files to /system/lib
Code:
adb remount
adb push <location of libRS.so> /system/lib
adb push <location of librs_jni.so> /system/lib
adb reboot
step 3: install launcher2.apk
Code:
adb remount
adb push <location of Launcher2.apk> /system/app
adb reboot
and then it works!
so far, it's been stable for me after a few reboots, and i don't get any force closes like i did when i used it on bikcmp's waffle ROM.
any problems, just pm me or post a reply.
if things don't work on the first try, like your bootscreen just keeps on going and going, just reboot your phone. after i set it to my default homescreen and rebooted, my bootscreen kept going on and on and on, even though the lockscreen and whatever else was definitely loaded. i'm not using the htc lockscreen, so i knew where the unlock button was, and when i touched there, it vibrated. i could 'unlock' the phone but it stayed at the bootscreen.
so when in doubt, just reboot
see below for all three files. i put it all into one zip for convenience.
enjoy!
EDIT: oh, and live wallpapers DO work. i've tested some from the market, but it seems as if (AGAIN) it's the nexusmod one that doesn't play nice and freezes your phone but i do recommend the Substrate (search Substrate in market) lwp, they're pretty fancy and they look nice too! performance isn't too bad either
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
launcher2 works out of the box on my testing rom, just push it to /system/app. i already have the necessary libs in place.

darchstar said:
launcher2 works out of the box on my testing rom, just push it to /system/app. i already have the necessary libs in place.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well, i guess it's for people using damage's and fresh's rom

This might be pushing it...but I have been with out a computer screen for a few days now (it died), and have been running off my hero since. I have no way to pushfiles to my phone...is there any chance you can package up the launcher2 apk to be flashed, and I will put it on Darchs ROM....?
Thanks either way man!!!!

Question, does this launcher have the 4 shortcuts cause thats bout as slick as have 7 screens and as sliced bread.

konikub: attached!
Tipharet: no, that's only in the helixlauncher app
it's a nice feature, but this is just for those who want the 'real' nexus one feel to it, with the 3d app drawer and the dots on the bottom. otherwise there isn't much of a difference.
though personally, i prefer this to the helixlauncher.

Just curious, does the nexus launcher still have the sense widgets enabled? Say im just trying to take Rosie phone,app,and add button away; all I want is the little square down at the bottom that leads to my app drawer.
This knowledge will also help in development of a custom UI I am wotking on. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Side note: like one of the other posters, I am not familiar with the sdk or changing files through the computer. However, I managed to root my phone, andinstall a custom ROM, all FROM MY PHONE.. Never once did I connect to my PC. Point being, Ive basically cooked my own roms from my phone. I am running DamageV1 and through terminal emulator was able to uninstall the bloatware that came along with it. I have a DamagedPancake LOL. Is it possible to push these files through t.e. or could someone post a update.zip that woulde removie just the RosieBar and leave only the boxlauncher?
Cheers

is there way a to revert back to the default sense ui?

sinistermeshes: unfortunately, you can't keep the sense widgets and not be using sense itself. something about the framework prevents you from being able to access or use HTC widgets if you aren't using sense. i also don't believe you can make the sense bar only be an app drawer. there was a thread starter a few days ago about mapping the buttons to different areas, but it was deemed not possible, or at least probably not going to happen.
the signed zip that i posted here only makes your phone's homescreen look, act, and feel just like what it does on the nexus one homescreen. no htc widgets (i know, i'm sad too =/)
vox: yeah, you can go to appliations and clear defaults. but the best way is to go to the market and install Home switcher. its very useful when dealing with homescreens and all.

works 100% perfectly, thanks OP.
personally, i started liking the helix launcher better than nexus, it allows only 2 screens, and you can put icons on the bottom. and, after pushing the libs, the nexus MOD wallpaper in market works with helix launcher!
im so happy right now

Really nice work.. All we need now is to remove the black notifcations bar and replace it with the white one and we can have a AOSP-Like rom

Just did this from my hero and it worked like a charm thanks a million for the signed zip I freaking love the nexus launcher and its really smooth

i cant seem to get the nexusmod lwp to work.. i downloaded it but i dont know how to set it.

i don't think the nexusmod lwp works if you use the launcher that's included.
but, if you use helixlauncher, it does work.
but first, you have to manually push LiveWallpapersPicker.apk and LiveWallpapers.apk to /system/app. they're posted on another thread, i believe.

i got it now i had to flash livewallpapaerpicker.apk

justinisyoung said:
i don't think the nexusmod lwp works if you use the launcher that's included.
but, if you use helixlauncher, it does work.
but first, you have to manually push LiveWallpapersPicker.apk and LiveWallpapers.apk to /system/app. they're posted on another thread, i believe.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried running it with hexilauncher and it just froze my phone...

justin, thanks for the lib file find. got the "modded Nexus" working with helix. I think I am going to stick with that just for the 7 screens but great find man.

NexusMod only works with helix. but its a bit laggy. if you use it on any other homescreen like nexuslauncher or home it just crashes.

Do we still have to push the lib files even with the zipped file that you provided... I nay have to wait toll I get home then

anyone gotten live wallpapers working??? i downloaded several and they are not in the wallpapers...

(script) (3/24) Omegasun's Bloat and Sense Removal with CM 7 Version

*****Omegasuns App and Sense Removal Script*****
Version 2 now compliant with new Recoveries​
This script was created to make removing bloatware, sense, HTC widgets and many of the safe apps from your EVO easy. I personally run pretty bare bone version of the roms I use. I remove Sense and most of the excess apps that i replace or dont use.Because this was so time consuming to do manually with how much i flash i started working on a script that allowed me to do this quickly.
I have followed many different threads listing what people have found is ok and what people have found is not ok to remove.
Please remember that this script removes the apps that I personally dont use or need. While some of the apps may not be considered bloatware y some I typically run a pretty bare system. Please see post 2 for instructions on how to modify this version of the script so that you can adjust it for your needs.
To Use:
1. Flash your new rom (you can use with your existing skip to step 3)
2. Boot up the phone fully
3. Install your launcher replacement and set it as default.
4. go into Friend stream and turn off auto-sync for Facebook(leaving contacts is ok)
5. reboot into recovery
6. Nand back up
7. flash the attached .zip
8. reboot
This will completly remove sense and the HTC apps/lockscreen as well as all peer networking and sprint apps except navigation, VVM, and promotion. It will also remove various other apps that have been found that when removed do not cause stability or other outstanding issues.
This script has been tested on Evio, Fresh, Damage Control, Koni's Elite, Myns, MikFroyo,and Virus Roms on several EVOs with out problems. I am not responsibility for boot loops, data loss, or damage done to your phone. PLEASE REMEMBER TO NAND BACKUP
Regaw_Leinad Has graciously created an app to allow you to edit this script and resign it easily. If you want to change anything in the script i highly suggest downloading it and using it to do so
you can get it
HERE
All you do is drag and drop the zip of choice (1 or the other of the 2 zips attached to the OP) on top of this program's icon, it will open the script for editing. Can be run from anywhere on the computer.
Steps for using RegawMOD Script Editor v1.0 Omegasun:
1. Drag and Drop zip on top of this programs icon
2. Edit Script when it pops up
3. Save Script, then close Notepad
4. Go back to program window, select YES to go on
5. The original zip is now updated with all of your changes and still signed!
NOTE: This will currently NOT work for the old attachment O_A_S_R_W_mail&browser_1.0.zip, because the zip can NOT contain the "&" symbol in the zips name.
If you downloaded the version with & in the name either change the name or redownload the corrected file.
A huge thanks to him for making this!
thank you to zergburger for maintaining a great thread with ok to remove apps, Calkulin for his sense removal zip It helped me verify the apks i have being removed. Another huge thanks to Regaw_Leinad for his app to edit the script as well as his easy signing app and Karadorde For creating a CM 7 version of the script (see 2nd post)

Karadorde's CM 6.1 Version! - attached to bottom of post.
Karadorde said:
Here is my CM 6.1 version of the App Removal Tool. It only deletes apps from the system because there isn't really anything to delete from the data folder. Below is a list of apps included in the tool.
Development.apk
DSPManager.apk
Browser.apk
CarHomeGoogle.apk
CareHomeLauncher.apk
CMWallpapers.apk
GoogleQuickSearchBox.apk
GenieWidget.apk
LatinIME.apk
LiveWallpapers.apk
LiveWallpapersPicker.apk
MagicSmokeWallpapers.apk
PicoTts.apk
Protips.apk
TtsService.apk
Email.apk
FM.apk
FileManager.apk
SoundRecorder.apk
Torch.apk
VoiceDialer.apk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Regaw's app will NOT work with v2 of this script. you can still get V1 at the bottom of this post
Regaw_Leinad Has graciously created an app to allow you to edit this script and resign it easily. If you want to change anything in the script i highly suggest downloading it and using it to do so
you can get it
HERE
All you do is drag and drop the zip of choice (1 or the other of the 2 zips attached to the OP) on top of this program's icon, it will open the script for editing. Can be run from anywhere on the computer.
Steps for using RegawMOD Script Editor v1.0 Omegasun:
1. Drag and Drop zip on top of this programs icon
2. Edit Script when it pops up
3. Save Script, then close Notepad
4. Go back to program window, select YES to go on
5. The original zip is now updated with all of your changes and still signed!
NOTE: This will currently NOT work for the old attachment O_A_S_R_W_mail&browser_1.0.zip, because the zip can NOT contain the "&" symbol in the zips name.
If you downloaded the version with & in the name either change the name or redownload the corrected file.
A huge thanks to him for making this!
Known Issues:
MAY CAUSE LED INDICATION OF A MESSAGE WHILE CHARGING TO STOP - ie when you are charging and you get a text message you may not see the blinking green led it will remain Amber. i am currently investigating this and will update once i find a solution.
Change Log:
V2
Rewrote script to EDIFY standard allowing it to be flashed with newer Recoveries
Script no longer removes the following apps:
Spint wifi router
Quick Search
Browser
Mail
Maps
V 1.0
Removed HTC widgets - (all rosie apps)
Removed Sense
Removed HTC lock screen
Removed Quick search (this disables search button)
Removed Sprint Apps -Nascar, Qik, NFL, TV, wifi router
Removed Peer Networking apps - Twitter, facebook ,friend stream, flickr
Removed stock Browser, mail and messaging apps
Removed Various apps i dont use - car dock, foot prints, maps(can reinstall from market), News apps, FM radio apps, flashlight apps, Google search box, log collector, bug reporter, teeter, voice dial, amazonmp3, appsharing, teeter, RSS
Removed Misc Wallpapers
Removed Latin IME keyboard
Removed World Clock, desktop clock
Removed various other MISC apks that have been found to be ok to remove - DCSStock, widget download manager

thanks for replying back to my in my Q and A thread. I modified your script a bit but I have a question. Why is there a delete for SYSTEM and DATA? Also, is it safe to remove livewallpaper picker? and what about weather?

I've been doing this manually on many of the roms that I use so this is great. It would be even greater if the script was modified, if possible, to place everything that has been removed in a folder on your sd card. This way if you do want something back on your system, you can easily reinstall it.

Ima try it out on mah Fresh 3.2 later

just a quick suggestion.
you are removing KEY apps so Please post alternative applications that people should download PRIOR to running your script.
such as.... dolphin hd to replace the browser.... handcent to replace messaging.. etcetc
you know as well as i do these kids around here are going flash this without reading a damn word and completely fvck their phones up.
offer your personally used replacement apps please.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

God, I feel like such a later bc I use 80% of those apps.
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

I modified my script to leave the stock browser intact and flashlight, but I removed weather. I also added handcent and google voice.
sent via HTC EVO

kakashi_s1 said:
I modified my script to leave the stock browser intact and flashlight, but I removed weather. I also added handcent and google voice.
sent via HTC EVO
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
why google voice? it doesnt work, in fact its some of the worse voice detection i have ever seen.
just curious, not bashing.

it works for me. I have multiple numbers using only one phone. I separate my personal contacts and business contacts with different numbers and google voice does exactly that.
sent via HTC EVO

Looks awesome. I'm using CM6 atm, but next Sense-based ROM I used, I'm going to give this a shot.

kakashi_s1 said:
thanks for replying back to my in my Q and A thread. I modified your script a bit but I have a question. Why is there a delete for SYSTEM and DATA? Also, is it safe to remove livewallpaper picker? and what about weather?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Weather should be safe to remove and live wallpaper picker as well (if you do not want to use live wallpapers)
Some of the apps i have removed are not in the system folder usually because a rom moves it to make it manually uninstallable. Since that happens i placed the ones i have run into in data in as well so i dont have to go back and uninstall them manually if they are moved. thats why there is a data and a system delete.
just a quick suggestion.
you are removing KEY apps so Please post alternative applications that people should download PRIOR to running your script.
such as.... dolphin hd to replace the browser.... handcent to replace messaging.. etcetc
you know as well as i do these kids around here are going flash this without reading a damn word and completely fvck their phones up.
offer your personally used replacement apps please.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will update to add some suggestions. I kind of see it as if people choose not to read the directions (which i do say to install replacements) and they mess up their phones its there own faults. Also the worst case scenario is they figure out that it removed there mail app or what not and can later download a mail replacement (or nand restore) so it wont mess anything up too the point they cant fix it if they forget a step (the exception is if you don't install a home replacement you will get a boot loop). I am also going to work on a couple other versions of the script so that people who would like to keep the stock browser/mail or sense etc can still have a version that isnt quiet as drastic as the first one. thank you for the suggestions.
I've been doing this manually on many of the roms that I use so this is great. It would be even greater if the script was modified, if possible, to place everything that has been removed in a folder on your sd card. This way if you do want something back on your system, you can easily reinstall it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I originally was going to take this approach but since i never reinstalled any of them myself (and most of the ones i might are available on market or have a suitable replacement for me on market) so i Haven't reworked the script for it yet. If people prefer having them all stored on the SD card for reinstall i will work on this.
If there are things in the script you know that you want to keep. you can modify the script (again i take no responsibility if you mess up your phone or the script by modifying it.)by deleting the lines for the apps you would like to keep then replacing it in the .zip. if you do modify it you will just need to make sure you flash it with Clockwork as it wont be signed.
During this week i will try to get out a version that keep sense a version that keeps stock browser/mail and peer networking for those that you want them.
thanks again for all the feedback.

xenokira said:
Looks awesome. I'm using CM6 atm, but next Sense-based ROM I used, I'm going to give this a shot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hell yeah! Been running CM6 Final for 2 or 3 days now and already getting an itch. I'm thinking I might go back to Fresh 3.2 then use this script - then another 3 days will pass and I'll probably go back to the nightlies
*I still think Android phones are worse than drugs.*

how did you modify your script? i would like to do the same thing flash it but leave stock browser and my email app, as well as sprint zone

is there any way to install the stock android browser. Does someone have a apk. Thanks

which ivan is this? i could help you update the script to your needs. let me know which apps you would like to keep.
omega sun, I'm looking for where user apps are stored. do you know where they could be?
I heard you find find them at sdcard/data/app but my directory is empty.
sent via HTC EVO

dkotoric said:
is there any way to install the stock android browser. Does someone have a apk. Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
10char

Worked as promised, my Evo is now clean as a whistle. Thank you.

kakashi_s1 said:
omega sun, I'm looking for where user apps are stored. do you know where they could be?
I heard you find find them at sdcard/data/app but my directory is empty.
sent via HTC EVO
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Normally they are just under data/app. unless you move them from the phone to the SD card they are stored in phone memory.
how did you modify your script? i would like to do the same thing flash it but leave stock browser and my email app, as well as sprint zone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I uploaded a version keeping the browser and mail apps. (if you have already removed them this will not restore them. To modify this script i suggest you unzip it then navigate to META-INF>com>google>android>update-script.
open the file in wordpad or notepad and remove the lines of the applications you do not want removed and make sure to save it with out an extension (default saves it as .txt this will not work). once you have done that open the original .zip in your zip program(i use winrar) navigate to the same place and drag and drop the modified script on top of the old (do not change its name). this should now be modified with the lines removed. Sine this wont be signed flash via clockwork.

Home Dock

If i were to use TB and make a back up of the blur home dock and then pull it from my SD card to my computer, then install liberty rom (which dosent have the home dock blur) and then take the backup and put it into my system folder again would that be able to work? end ressult haivng the home dock on liberty? (this feature is important to me to have as much as i love liberty i rather run GB because of this feature >.> )

Dbrock1980 said:
If i were to use TB and make a back up of the blur home dock and then pull it from my SD card to my computer, then install liberty rom (which dosent have the home dock blur) and then take the backup and put it into my system folder again would that be able to work? end ressult haivng the home dock on liberty? (this feature is important to me to have as much as i love liberty i rather run GB because of this feature >.> )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You may try that but you can just try by installing your ROM then installing the home dock like any other app. And if need be, delete your old launcher.
Sent from my HERO200 using XDA Premium App

yea i tried that with TB but it was crossed out in the app list and when i hit on it i wasnt able to restore it. im looking for a BG app of the dock home. ill try to get a foyo version and see what happens. this is aggervating.

okay so far heres what ive done
okay im running Liberty .3 on GB and im trying to get the GB desk dock back into liberty with no sucess (well very small maybe) ive downloaded a GB framework zip, extracted the dock.apk and went to install it. it shows up on the screen w/ permissions etc and goes to install and just says "app not installed" and thats it. so i went on the phone and looked at the file with Astro and extraced the files into a directory. then rebooted in bootstrap and tried to install the zip that way but didnt work either. ive found a few zips with the dock that KIND of worked. dock moto.zip was the file. i did bootstrap and installed it. i put it in my home dock and it said i was connected to a multimedia station and showed the icon on the notification bar, but thats the only thing that happened.
any suggestions with this? im struggling here to get this to work. this is a important feature to me to get back running.

Gallery is AWOL

I managed to delete the original gallery on my KF while trying to delete something else. Should this be the the 3d gallery apk? Well I couldn't seem to find it on line so I pulled the one off my Samsung Droid Charge and attempted to push it to system\app with Root Explorer but when I attempt to install it just says that it did not install. Any ideas? Wrong apk or permissions? Need a quick class on what I am doing wrong, did not see it posted elsewhere. I am rooted and like to use it to put some family pics on the ADW home screen.
Thanks!

Ok, got the right apk from krelvinaz (thanks so much). Using Root Explorer I clicked install and it installed in data\app. Didn't do anything to permissions. So now while rooted OR unrooted, I try to use the picture frame widget. If picking the picture from Gallery it lets me resize, hit save and it just closes without adding anything to the screen. If I hit the widget and use QuickPic for the picture selection, it creates the frame on the screen but it is black with nothing in it.
Any ideas? Do I need to change permissions or load the apks in a different folder? This all worked fine before I screwed up and deleted gallery. Worked when it was rooted too.

Bump.
Anyone? Tried several different apps. The ones that work either just put up a black box or put up the pic but it doesn't stay and reverts to the black box. Worked before so something is missing since I deleted the gallery the first time.

ICS Stock Launcher Rotate?

I would like the ability for the stock ICS launcher to rotate based on the phone orientation. Obviously the launcher supports it because it will go landscape when used in any of the various docks.
Back on the Atrix OG, the NoattachTrix4G ROM had the install-time option to make the stock launcher rotate based on orientation, so there must be a way to modify something that allows the launcher to rotate without having to be in a dock. Has anyone looked into that and knows how to do it? In the worst case, I can try to find time to look at the NoattachTrix install script to see what it does (or, if it is just installing a new framework or whatever, get that file and see what was changed).
In the meantime, I was just wondering if anyone else may have already looked into it.

Yup. In GB it was a simple edit in the BlurHome2.apk's AndroidManifest.xml. I think it's the same in ICS, but in the homescreen.apk.
Look for this line and change "nosensor" to "sensor":
Code:
android:screenOrientation="nosensor"
The problem is signatures. You could probably edit your own and push it back to your phone without signing w/ no issues.. maybe. But, really a bunch of system apks need to be re-signed with the same key if you change one AndroidManifest.. so it would have to be included in a rom, or a big zip package to replace all of the re-signed apks..
Sent from my phone's mind

Can't the signing issues be resolved by using Eclipse?
Sent from my LT28at

I'm currently looking through all the info on how to do this (but I'm not in any hurry)...I've installed Eclipse on my Ubuntu system, looking through the other threads and tools. I have dragged my feet on doing this now for the past year because I know how I am with all this and it has the potential to take more time away from my necessary activities.

Ok, I starting learning how to do all this. I decompiled the apk, made the change, recompiled, but didn't want to take the time to make it work.
So, while reading an article on the Nexus 7, I came across two apps that allow the homescreen to rotate without mods:
Ultimate Rotation Control ($2.99): I tried it but thought I would try the free one first
Rotation Locker (Free): Using this one now. Doesn't restart with the phone. Make sure you are using the background method (long press "Auto").
Both of the above applications let the Moto homescreen rotate as well as any other apps that insist on being in portrait mode, but I'm trying the free on first to see if any issues show up.